64% of Lebanese admit to have back pain symptoms each year.

Up to 80% of people will experience acute back pain at some point in their lives.

85% of cases are non-specific.

What causes low back pain?

The cause is a health condition such as:

• Back muscle Sprains and strains: Sprains are caused by overstretching or tearing ligaments, and strains are tears in tendon or muscle.
• Herniated discs: can occur when the intervertebral discs become compressed and bulge outward (herniation), causing low back pain
• Intervertebral disc degeneration: it occurs when the usually rubbery discs lose integrity as a normal process of aging.
• Radiculopathy : a condition caused by compression, inflammation and/or injury to a spinal nerve root.
• Osteoporosis: a thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time
• A traumatic injury, such as from playing sports, car accidents, or a fall can injure tendons, ligaments or muscle resulting in low back pain.
• Spinal stenosis:  a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that can cause pain or numbness with walking and over time leads to leg weakness and sensory loss.
• Skeletal irregularities include scoliosis, a curvature of the spine that does not usually cause pain until middle age; lordosis, an abnormally accentuated arch in the lower back; and other congenital anomalies of the spine.
• But in many times, the specific cause that pushes the patient to visit MRC for consultation is unclear; however, it can be influenced by the following:
• Psychological factors: depression, anxiety and stress, fear avoidance of activities
• Lifestyle factors: sedentary lifestyle, poor general health, poor sleep patterns
• Social factors: job dissatisfaction and unwholesome work relationships, hypervigilence and over concern from familyAnd the symptoms related to these possible causes include
• Overuse, strain or injury.
• Inability of muscles, ligaments and joints to work as they should
• Stress
• How people treat the symptoms
• Most people try heat or ice to relieve pain
• Three out of four person take a prescription medication
• One in four limits their movement
• One in four try exercise

What a physical therapist – Osteopath do for my low back pain?

• After an initial examination to determine the cause of your pain, your osteopath will design an individuliazed and specific treatment plan. 
• Treatment may include:
  • Manual therapy including Strain Counterstrain technique, High velocity low amplitude thrusts (HVLAT), Myofascial Therapy, Muscle Energy technique, Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Specific strengthening and flexibility exercises.
  • Education about how you can take better care of your back,
  • Training for proper lifting, bending, and sitting at work and at home, as well as proper sleeping positions
  • Assistance in creating a safe and effective physical activity profram to improve your overall health.